Tag: Gluten free

Now we have been meaning to post the recipe for our scrumptious and just quite damn tasty banana and oat cookies..

Firstly, we must acknowledge where our inspiration for these tasty treats stemmed from. We tried out a recipe for banana and oat cookies on Ashlyn Lincoln’s blog, and of course we became obsessed with baking these babies! Once to twice a week we whip them up to munch on as snacks or post dinner ‘I’m still hungry’ moments.

Through baking many batches, we have slowly twigged Ashlyn’s recipe to suit us.

So here it goes guys…

Ingredients:

1 cup of either oats or rye oats. If you are gluten intolerant quinoa flakes also work well, or simply gluten free oats.

1 cup of almond meal (organic if possible)

One medium ripe banana. You may use more more banana, keeping in mind that the more banana you use the more moist the cookies will be

One tablespoon of organic rice malt syrup. Organic maple syrup can also work (1/4 cup) or honey (one tablespoon)

One teaspoon of cinnamon

For the topping: (optional- choose one or add them all on!)

Frozen berries of choice (blueberries or raspberries work well)

Your choice of nut (almonds, macadamias, pecans)

Raw organic cocoa nibs

Shredded organic coconut

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 160 degrees

2) Mash the banana

3) Melt the coconut butter in the microwave

4) Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl (wet and dry)

5) Use your hands to massage the mixture until all the ingredients are combined. The mixture should not be too ‘sloppy’ or too dry. You should easily be able to make round balls without the mixture sticking to your hands too much or without the mixture falling apart

6) Divide the mixture in small round balls on a tray with baking paper. We usually use around one heaped tablespoon of mixture for every cookie. Flatten the mini balls out into the shape of cookies (flat and roundish)

8) Sprinkle with more cinnamon (this gives it a nice brown colour around the edges when they are ready)

9) Oven time! Around 25 minutes should be enough. However in saying this, every oven is different, therefore oven time may vary. Check the cookies at 20 minutes, if they have a little bit of moistness when pressing them and if brown around the edges.. they are most likely ready!

10) Let them sit for 10 minutes to cool

Keep them in an air tight container to keep fresh. They should last around 3 days.

Enjoy with a cup of tea, or you can even break them up, add some yogurt and fruit and you have yourself a tasty filling breakfast!

It was back last spring when we first discovered Melbourne Street Organics. This little hideaway use to be a gorgeous health food store but now, has transformed itself into an up and coming cafe, serving breakfast,lunch, vegan treats and coffee. Well done guys!

For us, this is the perfect place to snuggle down for tea and cake, watching the busy life of high street and gaining ideas for recipes using the stores fresh produce.

This visit, we opted for the blueberry and chia vegan muffin with a peppermint tea. To be honest with you, we are actually writing this post sitting, crammed at a tiny wooden table, right next to the Kombucha and probiotic shots (definitely recommend the strawberry shot!).

Everything about this little nook screams cute, even their patterned plates and tea cups. Which, might we add, are colour coordinated. Today, it was a navy blue and white theme. Bless.

In addition to all the delicious treats, they stock literally all possible ‘milks’. You can have whatever milk tickles you fancy

——– Almond, cashew, rice, oat, full fat, skim! ——–

When it all comes down to it, the utter most attractive feature of this cafe is its peacefulness. Sitting down alone comfortably reading a book is actually hard to achieve in many loud, busy and chaotic Melbourne cafes nowadays, yet Melbourne Street Organics definitely have this covered.

So, grab a book and take a seat in this organic sanctuary with a vegan cake and your choice of milk coffee.

And what was the only question we had for our hostel’s receptionist? Did we want to know where all the big tourist sites were? Or how the underground actually works?

No, we wanted to know where are all the cafes were. Obviously.

Twenty minutes later, we found ourselves on a bus heading towards Camden Town. For all of you who are unfamiliar with London’s outer city hidden gems, Camden Town is definitely one of those “must see’s”. Not only is it home to many vintage markets and food stalls, it also has a very popular cafe culture. Thankgod!

So, completely jet lagged and ‘clogged’ (sorry about the use of this word, we just don’t know how else to describe that disgusting tummy-cramp-bloated gross feeling) from the flight, we were searching for somewhere to recover and replenish. Thankfully only after a few hundred meters, we stumbled across “M y V i l l a g e C a f e”.

This family run eatery had an Eastern europe influence, yet also had all the characteristics that define many of Melbourne’s Fitzroy cafes. All of this awesomeness in humble Camden Town.

With a GF, vegan and raw menu, we were drowning in options.

Luckily, our decision was made for us by the ever so lovely owner, of this ever so lovely cafe. We were given the organic soy porridge and fresh mint tea. Very simple, yet delicious. The most comforting meal to devour after a 30 hour journey and definitely tummy approved!

Naturally, the remainder of the day we spent exploring Camden’s markets, discovering a beautiful yoga studio and climbing hills. Ahh, if only we could rewind the clock…

This chilly thursday morning called for a visit to one of our faves, Top Paddock.

Let us take you back to when our obsession with this glorious cafe all started…

Like many other Melbournian’s out there, the channel 9 series ‘The Block’, had us hooked from the very first episode. We don’t know whether it was the interior design or the hot surfer couple, Kyle and Kara, but we were definitely way too emotionally invested. We had no choice but to go to the open inspection.

After a long four hour wait in line (literally), we finally got a sneak peak of the apartments that we had been visualising for months and b o y were we blown away. It was like being in ‘block heaven’.

Anyway,

Due to our over-excitment, lack of sleep and hunger, we needed somewhere to relax, re-fuel and absorb everything we had just experienced. Frantically driving around Melbourne in a state of ‘hunrgy-angry’, we stumbled across Top Paddock.

Despite the fact that this morning was our 5th visit, we are still wowed by it’s striking decor, impeccable service and just down right ‘mouthwatering’ food.

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The modern, yet industrial interior, gives this cafe a sense of class and slight freshness. The floor plan fits in with any occasion, whether it be a corporate lunch, an awkward first date or a fun, loud catch up with friends. Designing this cafe to cater for all different types of situations has really given it versatility.

Not only does Top Paddock get our tick of approval for their design, their food, well specifically their avocado, always seems to be perfect. When we say perfect, we really mean p e r f e c t. We have never seen the slightest bruise or imperfection on any of their half avocados served with a spoon. Sorry to say, but we have even spent time stalking the half avo plates coming from the kitchen, desperately trying to find a fault. Although thoroughly aware that we look like idiots whilst doing this, when it comes to avocados, we’ll do whatever it takes.

We are still yet to find a dodgy avo.

Top Paddock definitely takes the cake for ‘Best cafe in Melbourne’

If you haven’t already been there, do yourself a favour and go there right now.

Oh and let us know if you find a dodgy avo, we would really appreciate that.